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The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. "It keeps him in good humour," said she, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express." Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; -- its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night she would have felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
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- At the house of Mr Bennet Miss Lucas patiently listened to Collins. Lizzy heartily thanked her for the relief. In a subtle sense it sounds that Elizabeth is thanking Miss Lucas for enabling Darcy to propose to her.
- As Elizabeth rudely refused Collins, he was not confident of Charlotte’s acceptance. The fire and independence of his character sail into vigorous action as he was mortally offended. Offending a sensitive part releases greater energy than the positive inspiration of an ideal. His vehemence was met by her yearning for marriage. She was waiting for him and met him half way. Completion of an act, at its tether end, requires such consummate strategies.
- It is her perceiving him coming and meeting him half way as if accidentally, that released so much of eloquence and love from him
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In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waved for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.
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- It was all settled in a trice that she should make him the happiest of men. The only delay is his long speech. Habit prevails even in that moment of romance.
- Charlotte is too wise to trifle with his long winding exuberant eloquence a confirmation to him of his higher education
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Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion that, whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St. James's. The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid. Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth would wonder, and probably would blame her; and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such disapprobation. She resolved to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins, when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the family, the ceremony of leavetaking was performed when the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again, whenever his other engagements might allow him to visit them.
"My dear madam," he replied, "this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as possible."
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- One who is endowed with stupidity becomes dynamic by education. It constantly seeks exhibition. It is irksome to refined persons. Collins sought Miss Lucas for her patient listening. It is her asset, which won her a husband of £2000 a year. Even courtship is made irksome by such an urge. Charlotte, who sought a preservative from want successfully, is patient enough to let him exhaust his exuberance
- The value of an acquisition lies in its non-stop display
- What was an insult to Elizabeth is an occasion for overflowing joy to the Lucases
- Marriage is the only source of support for woman who cannot earn.
- Her luck issued out of her natural good will.
- Charlotte valued the friendship of Elizabeth as she recognised Lizzy’s perception.
- The same information coming from different people can have a different effect.
- Secrecy when the urge is great gives tension.
- An obvious fact cannot be avoided by honest responses.
- The one thing love seeks is public recognition
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They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said --
"But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness."
"My dear sir," replied Mr. Collins, "I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her ladyship's concurrence."
"You cannot be too much on your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence."
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- Mr. Bennet is rude enough to suggest he need not return
- His stupidity is infinite to bring out from others infinite rudeness
- Mr. Bennet dissuades him from returning while Mrs. Bennet extends an invitation. Collins has a great role to play in their life by bringing Darcy to the family. Mrs. Bennet who is brainless is aware of the subtle truth. Mr. Bennet in whom the mind is formed is prevented from seeing the truth
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"Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention; and depend upon it, you will speedily receive from me a letter of thanks for this, as well as for every other mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth."
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- “My gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention” has no reference to Bennet’s warning. It refers, in a subtle sense, to his prosperous love which he is anxious to announce, perhaps to spite Elizabeth. “All of them are equally surprised” by his promised return. Life always has infinite surprises. Today Collins knows why he is returning and the ladies do not know. A day earlier Collins himself had not known the surprise of his engagement. Life is live
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With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him. She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; there was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion. But on the following morning, every hope of this kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.
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- Many whom Collins will consider a novice rate him below her attainment. In evaluation anyone rates the other person against his own greatest strength and the other’s greatest weakness. Often they will be varying fields. Mary values her own learning, compares his manners with her learning. Expectations soar high on the eve of its opposite developments. Now that he is engaged and there is no scope for Mary, Mary can dream of its possibility. Her rating him lower than herself indicates that the chance is exhausted
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The possibility of Mr. Collins's fancying himself in love with her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two; but that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far from possibility as that she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out --
"Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte, impossible!"
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- Once or twice Elizabeth fancied that he was in love with Charlotte. In life nothing descends all on a sudden. Its early symptoms will be there if one is perceptive
- Elizabeth was disgusted with Collins’ obsequious behaviour. All her bounds of decorum broke when she heard it and she exclaimed, “Impossible!”. That intensity is equalled by her own vehement refusal of Darcy later
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The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied --
"Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?"
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- There is truth in Charlotte’s defence. It is the other side of the picture
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But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort for it, was able to assure her with tolerable firmness that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her all imaginable happiness.
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- In a girl of 21 it is admirable how Elizabeth rallied to good behaviour and congratulation
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"I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte; "you must be surprised, very much surprised -- so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connexions, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."
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- Charlotte desires to defend and justify herself as Elizabeth matters to her. Also she speaks a great truth that happiness in marriage is only by chance
- She is down to earth and ‘asks only for a comfortable home’. This is a mercenary ideal. All those who seek a mercenary ideal may or may not succeed, but one thing is certain, it will come through shame
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Elizabeth quietly answered "Undoubtedly"; and after an awkward pause they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not stay much longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had heard. It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins's making two offers of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed it possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins was a most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.
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- “Charlotte did not stay much longer” for two reasons. 1) She was ashamed of her act; 2) she has too much of enjoyment at home to celebrate the engagement. Elizabeth is uncompromising in her choice of men. Charlotte sacrifices everything. One got Darcy and the other got Collins. It is impossible to see that Charlotte in her position as a portionless 27 year old, could have had a groom like Darcy had she willed like Elizabeth
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